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Although 26 GHz is a long term prospect for the development of new mobile services in Europe, the region’s immediate hopes are pinned on two bands: 700 MHz and 3.5 GHz.

Our recent research notes have surveyed the spectrum market in Europe’s top four economies and the prospects for these two bands look the brightest in Germany and France. Both countries have already auctioned 700 MHz, and unlike the UK and Italy plans for 3.5 GHz are well developed with no significant obstacles in sight.

In the UK the 3.5 GHz auction faces a legal challenge from two operators and the knock-on effect on the release of 700 MHz is uncertain.

While we understand that Italy will soon announce plans for 3.5 GHz they are unlikely to meet the EU deadline of 2020 for releasing all of the 700 MHz although progress is being made.

Both Germany and France have announced plans to allow mobile usage of 3.5 GHz by 2018.

The research notes for the four countries also include data on operator’s spectrum holdings, other spectrum policy initiative and significant developments such as Deutsche Telekom’snarrowband IoT network.

Research Notes

Germany by Jonathan WatsonGerman mobile operators are currently planning to deploy 5G in the 700 MHz band, which was auctioned in June 2015.…

United Kingdom by Jonathan WatsonUK regulator Ofcom and the UK’s four mobile network operators are actively preparing for the 5G era. However, Ofcom’s plan…

Italy by Jonathan Watson5G trials are to launch in five Italian cities in 2018, with several operators planning to launch a commercial service…

France by Jonathan WatsonLike the UK, France currently has four main mobile network operators – Orange, SFR, Bouygues Telecom and Free – and…